Ashley and Patrick Palmer call a 1953 ranch-style house in Tulsa, Oklahoma home. They were drawn to the property for its mid-century architecture, open layout, and location near Mockingbird Lake — but the kitchen was a clear weak spot. Patrick works as a software developer, while Ashley runs Retro Den alongside her friend Ashley Daly. The shop focuses on styling, buying, and selling vintage furniture and home goods, offering a plant bar with succulents and air plants, and carrying work from local artists and makers. With that background, it's no surprise the Palmers' renovation ended up showcasing a collection of standout vintage pieces.
Between a cramped oven that couldn't handle holiday cooking at Ashley's mom's house, worn finishes, and a layout that did nothing to streamline meal prep, a renovation had to happen. One of the more alarming discoveries came during demolition: "When we did the demo, we discovered that the huge, high vent hood was actually venting into our attic via a cardboard box. I always knew that vent hood was no good!" Ideally, the couple would have brought in a general contractor, but they chose the more affordable path of overseeing the project themselves. After roughly a year of conversations with friends and family who'd tackled similar work, they committed to a six-month remodel.
Practicality drove the reconfiguration. "We relocated the pantry to a wall that used to be complete dead space, which allowed room for drawers and countertops on both sides of our stove/oven. We also pushed the peninsula out towards the eat-in area to allow room to the left of the dishwasher so that you can actually put up dishes. Before, you had to unload the dishes onto the counter, close the dishwasher door, then put up the dishes. So much better now! We also removed the stove top/vent hood from the peninsula making it just a long, useful stretch of countertop."
In the end, Ashley is grateful they spent a couple of years in the house before renovating, since that time helped them identify exactly what wasn't working — and what their family truly needed. She wove in personal touches and vintage finds that reflected both their family story and the character of the rest of the home. "Thrift store finds (like the pedestal table), family heirlooms (salt and pepper shakers that belonged to my great-grandmother), and pieces handmade by friends and family (my mom made the yellow bench cushions and two potter friends made mugs, spoons and other beautiful pieces) make the kitchen feel warm and personal."
Ashley also takes pride in trusting her instincts when she painted the walls a daring green. Even with skeptics warning her she'd regret the color choice, she stands by the decision and feels it preserves the airy, peaceful atmosphere she was after. "I feel extremely lucky to have a kitchen that is both beautiful and functional. I'm thankful that my family spends time together in this space nearly every day. Even if doing separate tasks (cooking, eating, coloring, painting), we all seem to gravitate to the kitchen these days." —Rebekah
Photography by: You Are Photo Co.
Image above: Style and utility come together in the Palmer kitchen. "I love how the built-in bench seating runs right up to the cabinetry. It feels like it was meant to be. Plus, the proximity is great for passing food to my three-year-old."
1/21 Ashley walks through some of the layout shifts behind the remodel: "We pushed the peninsula out towards the eat-in kitchen so now we have a whole column of drawers to the left of the dishwasher and we can actually put away our dishes! We also tucked the microwave away under the counter to make room on the wall that houses the stove. I was a little worried about having it so low, but it really has been no problem at all."
2/21 "We adopted a white German Shepherd recently and she loves to hang out in the kitchen with us, especially near the three-year-old in hopes of dropped food!"
3/21 "We removed the stove top and vent hood from the peninsula, so now we have this long stretch of countertop for food preparation. It's so nice to be able to easily talk with someone sitting at the table while preparing a meal," Ashley shares.
4/21 "I love how all of the colors in the kitchen play with each other. I fell in love with this bold yellow I started calling 'school bus yellow' and I knew I had to bring it into the kitchen in some way. The cushions (created by my mom!) ended up being the perfect way!"
5/21 "The artwork used to belong to my dad who has passed away. He found it at a garage sale years and years ago, and I can still picture where he hung it in all of his houses and apartments," Ashley explains.
6/21 "We lived in our home for a little over two years before deciding to renovate," Ashley tells us. "My business partner Ashley found the vintage round pedestal table at the thrift store. It was the perfect piece to balance out the newness of the rest of the kitchen."
7/21 Another example of style meeting everyday practicality: "We used outdoor fabric for the cushions so they would stand a chance against a toddler eating spaghetti. The orange pillow fabric is from a friend's local fabric shop!"
8/21 "We eat 90% of our meals in this little nook."
9/21 "I'm so pleased we painted the walls a bold green! It's one of my favorite aspects of the space," Ashley admits.
10/21 "I found this framed vintage train print at the Tulsa Flea Market mid-renovation and knew it would be perfect in the new space," Ashley shares.
11/21 "We installed a new window that is a solid piece of glass (as opposed to divided up). I love the wide open view while washing dishes now. It's the little things!"
12/21 A meaningful gift that quickly became a daily fixture: "Our dear friend and local artist Kris of Foxy Pots made our coffee mugs and surprised us with a miniature one for my daughter Caroline. She uses it every day!"
13/21 "We bought our fridge on sale in the scratch and dent section, so the sides of it weren't very nice looking. To solve this problem, we created a case for our refrigerator without any upper cabinets."
14/21 "I love the view through the kitchen into the mudroom (which is peach). The mudroom's landscape gallery wall feels like artwork for the kitchen, too."
15/21 Ashley explains one small way she tied the rooms together: "One vintage paint-by-numbers landscape painting that used to be on the mudroom gallery wall now sits on top of the refrigerator. I feel like it brings the two rooms together."
16/21 "Another view of the wall where the stove and vent hood are now located. This little stretch of countertop was never very useful before," Ashley explains. "This wall used to house the pantry, microwave and oven. We relocated the pantry and microwave so now the cooking area has its own dedicated space with countertops and drawers on both sides of the stove. Relocating the pantry was my favorite change in the kitchen."
17/21 "I mixed in several vintage pieces on the open shelving to make the space feel more like us. The chicken and rooster salt and pepper shakers belonged to my great grandmother. I cannot believe they haven't been broken (knock on wood!)."
18/21 Ashley talks through the personal touches she layered in: "I love being able to display artwork, dishware and pottery we've collected on the open shelving. Also, the backsplash mimics the pattern of the stone of our fireplace and the exterior of our home."
19/21 Everyday function matters in the kitchen, Ashley notes: "The open shelving makes it so handy to grab dishes and spices while cooking."
20/21 "This is a view looking into the kitchen from the front entryway. I painted the entryway a peach color because I love the way it looks with the green walls of the kitchen," Ashley explains.
21/21 The new Palmer kitchen layout.
SOURCE LIST
Wall Paint- Sherwin Williams, EvergreensCabinet Paint – Sherwin Williams, Dover WhiteFloor Tile- Home DepotBanquette Cushions- fabric (similar), Joanne'sBanquette Cushions- upholstery, Janie's UpholsteryBanquette Pillows- EtsyBanquette Pillows- Joanne'sPedestal Table- thriftedCountertops- Samoa QuartzCabinet Hardware- Schoolhouse ElectricCabinetry- MJM ConstructionDesign Consultation- Whiteside Art & InteriorsBacksplash- Mission Stone & TileWarehouse Light- vintage, Retro DenComposite Sink- AmazonGlobe Pendant- Schoolhouse ElectricHand Towel- Jenkins & Co.Coffee Mugs- Foxy PotsServing Spoons, Coffee Spoon, Vessel With Cork Top- Mudhouse StudioEnamel Canister Set- Schoolhouse ElectricAppliances- HahnDish Rack- Lowe'sRug- KY Rose DesignsBlinds- American BlindsCeiling Medallion- AmazonBrass Wall Clock- TargetYellow Concrete Planter- The MakerageBar Stools- vintage, Retro DenFloating Shelf- tutorial, Bigger Than the Three of UsFloating Shelf Hardware- SilicateStudio
